Vaccinations and health checkups

Japan’s official register of clinics does not say which ones give vaccinations or health checkups, so we cannot list them for you. This page explains where people usually go, and what to say. Always call or ask the clinic first — most need an appointment, and not every clinic offers every vaccine.

Vaccinations for children

• Routine vaccinations for babies and children (定期接種, teiki sesshu) are arranged by your city or ward office and are usually free. After you register your address, the city sends information and forms.
• They are usually given at pediatric clinics (小児科) that take part in the city’s programme.
• Bring the Mother and Child Health Handbook (母子手帳, boshi techō); the vaccinations are recorded in it.

Find pediatric clinics

Vaccinations for adults (for example the flu)

• Many internal medicine clinics (内科) and pediatric clinics give flu and other common vaccinations, often in autumn and winter. They are usually paid by you; ask the price when you book.
• Some vaccinations for older people are partly paid by the city. Your city or ward office can tell you.

Find a general doctor (internal medicine)

Travel vaccines

• Travel clinics (渡航外来, tokō gairai), some hospitals, and the government’s quarantine stations (検疫所) give vaccines for travel abroad.
• Some vaccines need more than one dose, weeks apart, so ask early, well before you travel.
• The quarantine offices’ website FORTH has information on travel health and vaccines.

Health checkups

• Through work: employers in Japan arrange a yearly health checkup (健康診断, kenkō shindan) for their employees. Ask your company first.
• Through your city: cities and wards offer checkups and cancer screenings (がん検診) for residents, often at a low price, depending on age and health insurance. The city or ward office has the list of places.
• A full checkup (人間ドック, ningen dokku) takes a few hours, is paid by you, and is offered by many hospitals and checkup centres (健診センター).
• A certificate for a visa, school or a new job (健康診断書): many internal medicine clinics can do this. Say what the certificate is for, and whether it must be in English.
• Checkups and most vaccinations are usually not covered by health insurance.

Find internal medicine clinicsFind hospitals

What to say

• 予防接種を受けたいです。 (Yobō sesshu o uketai desu.) — I would like to get a vaccination.
• 健康診断を受けたいです。 (Kenkō shindan o uketai desu.) — I would like a health checkup.
• 予約は必要ですか。 (Yoyaku wa hitsuyō desu ka.) — Do I need an appointment?
• 料金はいくらですか。 (Ryōkin wa ikura desu ka.) — How much does it cost?
• 英語の診断書をお願いできますか。 (Eigo no shindansho o onegai dekimasu ka.) — Can I get the certificate in English?

This page is general information, not medical advice. Ask a doctor which vaccinations or checkups are right for you. Unsure where to start? Which kind of clinic? explains each specialty.